I run Rosie's Deli Cafe, Brixton and have written two cookery books, 'Spooning with Rosie' and 'Supper with Rosie'. Here's some of my ramblings, recipes and restaurant favourites. It's nothing serious. xx

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Doubled-Up Bolognese. Familiar classics.

These day I find myself cooking a lot of meals: those for us, and also our 1 year old boy. Chillies are out and cheese is in. I've been cooking much more traditional food. The stuff that is nostalgic and comforting and very very sturdy. Fits-all-food. All these meals can make life rather complicated though. The fear is that one will end up cooking 6 rather than 3 meals a day and be a constant slave. However, I am dodging this with some clever one-pot juggling. This evening I've a couple of friends coming round so I've cooked up a pot of vegetable heavy bolognese. The soffritto is packed with blended celery, chunks of carrot and loads of tomatoes. It's definitely more than 1 of your 5 a day! I stewed the whole pot right down without adding any sugar or salt and have kept a good few tubs aside for Billy (the boy). Meanwhile I have turboed up the remaining grown-up pan with seasoning (lots) and a generous dose of vermouth for kick. Roll on dinner time. It may be nursery food, but it's going to be very good nursery food. Here's the recipe, which feeds 3 adults and 1 child:

Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed medium pan on a medium flame. Blend the onions and garlic together so that you have a smooth mix. Pour into the pan and sweat for a few minutes, mixing frequently. Now add the carrots and celery and again sweat, this time for about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and continue to simmer for half an hour on a low heat. Meanwhile heat some more oil in a frying pan. Add the beef and then quickly and meticulously stir and break it up as much as possible. There should be NO lumps. When the meat is beginning to brown, add to the vegetables and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes.

At this point, remove however much you need for your child to a container and refrigerate when cool. Continue cooking the grown-up sauce, adding vermouth and seasoning and worcester sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes. Cook your spaghetti and add parmesan or mild cheddar to serve.